A STORM AT SEAReading: Acts 27: 13-26
A couple of days after Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, Ananias, a believer, had a message from God about Saul, part of which was this, “Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for me.” Those words were certainly borne out in the years that followed. Paul became the great missionary to the Gentile world, as fearless and bold and zealous in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus as he had once been in persecuting its followers. During the years he saw much fruit for his labours but he also suffered greatly at the hands of those who were opposed to him and his message, as well as from a physical ailment. Through it all he was convinced that God’s power worked best in his weakness and that he could do all things through the help of Christ who gave him the strength he needed.
On what was to be his final visit to Jerusalem, he was arrested and, after many adventures, was taken captive to Caesarea where he was brought before the Roman governor Felix. He was held in custody for two years. There then followed a change of personnel. Felix was replaced by Festus, and Paul’s case was again brought to court, during the course of which Paul, as a Roman citizen, appealed to Caesar. This meant that he had to go as a prisoner to Rome itself. Paul was at peace about this because he knew that God wanted him to preach the Good News in the capital of the Empire. He and several other prisoners began the long voyage to Italy. The weather was very changeable. Late Autumn was not a good time to make such a journey and Paul, seasoned traveller, warned against it. He was not heeded. The result was that they were hit by a wind of typhoon strength and everyone on board felt that all hope was gone, all that is, except Paul. He believed that no lives would be lost because he had been told so by an angel during the previous night. This messenger of God encouraged him, “Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.” True, they were shipwrecked, but no one lost their lives. They swam ashore to the island of Malta where Paul had further opportunity to share his faith before they resumed their journey to Rome.
Whenever misfortune or great trouble hit us, as they do everyone at some point or other during life, the natural reaction is to give in to despair or fear, to see no way out. But if we have placed our lives, our ‘journeys’ into the hands of God, then the challenge is to trust him, even in times of great discouragement or tragedy. Whatever the storm, God is still in control. His purposes will not be thwarted. And sometimes when we take such a stand in faith, then other people ‘sailing with us’ are given fresh heart and courage as well. Listen well for the angel of God. She bears a message of hope. He brings reassurance that, in the end, even if there are a few shipwrecks in between, it will be just as God has said.